MONTPELIER — Vermont U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy says he’s close to introducing legislation aimed at curbing electronic surveillance by U.S. intelligence agencies and has been lining up bipartisan support for the measure.

He says that aside from being bipartisan, the effort is bicameral, with Republican Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin preparing to file companion legislation in the House.

Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Dean Heller of Nevada also are supporting Leahy’s bill.

Leahy is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has been delving into electronic surveillance by the National Security Agency.